At the age of 70, musician Brett Tuggle, keyboardist of the band Fleetwood Mac during its second phase and also founder of the group David Lee Roth, died last Sunday of complications from cancer, his son Matt confirmed to Rolling Stone magazine. .

Matt also said that his father was “much loved by his family” who “was with him the whole time of his illness”.

And he added: “He was a lovely father. He gave me the music in my life,” said the son of the famous keyboard player, who in 20 years he has contributed his talents to the Fleetwood Mac group.

The farewell of famous friends

This Monday, the singer Rick Springfield posted on his Twitter account a heartfelt tribute to the man who, together with David Lee Roth, composed the famous song of the 80s, Just like heaven. “Our sweet Brett Tuggle just got home tonight. God bless his beautiful spirit of him,” he wrote.

the famous bass player Billy Sheehanwith whom Tuggle played in ex Van Halen’s solo band David Lee Roth, fired him on his Twitter account with the following sentence: “Brett Tuggle was really the secret weapon of the band and the album tour. Eat them and smile. He was loved by all who knew him and was gifted with supreme talent. Rest in peace, we will never forget you “.

More than 40 years of career

Born in Denver (Colorado, United States), Brett Tuggle learned from a very young age to play the piano and, later, the guitar. Although he has been playing since the 1970s, his career took off in 1981 when he joined the band John Kay & Steppenwolf to play on a world tour.

Then, in 1982, he joined Rick Springfield’s group, just like their single Jessie’s girlfriend it has climbed ranks as an impressive radio hit. He toured with the singer for three years, until in 1986 David Lee Roth called him into his solo project after leaving Van Halen, where he also co-wrote the 1988 hit. Just like heaven.

Throughout his career, the keyboardist has also shared stages and recording days with big names in music, such as Jimmy Page, David Coverdale, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels and Tommy Shaw of Styx.

In 1994, Brett Tuggle recorded an album with Mick Fleetwood’s side project, The Zoo. Fleetwood Mac reunited in 1997 for a second phase as a band, it was only natural that he was called to share keyboard work with Christine McVie.

However, he was fired in 2018, which took him by surprise. In 2021 he began touring with guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, but due to cancer he was unable to return when they resumed their shows in April.

Live, Buckingham said, “I want to mention the gentleman who is conspicuously absent from the stage tonight. Mr. Brett Tuggle has a minor health problem. Hopefully he’ll be back for the next show, whatever it takes. We miss him tonight,” he said. Buckingham said to the crowd on the opening night of the San Francisco tour.

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